I'm sure some of you already know this.. But if not: mini locks (boot, door, etc) have a number on them which represents the pattern of the pins. And if you don't have a key for a lock take it to a decent locksmith and they can quickly make a key up for you..

I took my boot lock to the locksmith and asked him if he could repin or rekey it... he took it out the back and a few mins later came back with a set of keys for it. Only cost me $10.. He told me about the number which they apparnetly put on all old locks, and it had just rusted over a bit so he couldn't see it at first.

I was thinking it would cost me heaps to get it rekeyed or pinned.. I was about to look for another lock.. So I'm happy

Excellent,

Thanks for the tip!

Do you know where these numbers are? I haven't got the locks off the car yet!

Matt

Bit hard to explain where the numbers are... I'll draw you a diagram.. 1 sec

(boot lock.. but should be the same for doors aswell)

The blue part is the actual handle, and the red bit is where the numbers are. It's like a rectangular prism, which is what you basically turn. Just like normal locks. Shouldn't be too hard to find, you might need to clean some of the rust off.. bit of steel wool should do the job.

go Paint!

Excellent stuff to know,

Thanks again!!

i wonder how many different combos there were? what's the bet we could have a pair of people on here with a boot lock with the same combination on it.

I once heard there are 9 different keys.

I bought a Clubby ignition from Kazjims garage sale. It had 2 keys on a ring with it. One key fitted it, the other key fitted a roundy ignition barrel I had at home with no key.

How cool was that!

My door key works in the ignition aswell, but my ignition key won't work in the door!

My dad was telling me back when he had a minor, he accidently got into the wrong car. It was the same colour and everything, and his key fit. He got out and locked it up again after realising.

This looks like an FS series keyboard here. The board shown looks like it has all the keys on it.
http://britishcarkeys.com/

The FS keys fitted all the pre-steering lock cars. Steering locks used the FT series. All the dealers had all the keys and we used to sell heaps of them no questions asked. I could have stolen any mini, but I never gave it a thought. We never even locked them up in a secure area and anyone in the shop could have taken any key. These days you need a security clearance to buy an ignition key.

_________________
Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

Holdens back in the 50s were no more secure. My dad had an FE, one day at Castle Hill show he got into the wrong car before he realised it...

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

used to be able to start those with no key, or pull the keys out while the motor was running
KB

That if I remember correctly was a designed in feature. The lock was designed so that it could be gripped and turned without the key unless it was turned back past a certain point.

_________________
Chris

Everything I like is either
illegal, immoral or fattening.

ahh i can pull the key out of my ignition while it's on.. and nothing happens is this bad

Only if it's a Clubbie- and the steering locks!!

Mine does it too. Just means lock barrel/key is a bit worn...

_________________
DrMini- 1970 wasaMatic 1360, Mk1S crank, 86.6HP (ATW) =~125 @ crank, 45 Dellorto (38 chokes), RE282 sprint cam, 1.5 rockers, 11.0:1 C/R.

It is a failure on a pink slip (in NSW)